Ron Perlman Has Played More Than 100 Tough Characters on Screen, but Rescues Stray Dogs and Adores Children in Real Life
Ron Perlman began to act in movies in the early 1980s. Since then, he’s played more than a hundred charismatic characters, including reckless Hellboy in the screen adaption of the comics of the same name, One in The City of Lost Children, and Bruno in Nightmare Alley. But only his family and friends know that there is a kind and gentle heart in the chest of this tough-looking giant who rescues stray dogs and adores children.
Perlman started his acting career in theater, and his debut movie was Quest for Fire (1981). But after that he would only get minor and secondary roles, so he thought of abandoning his career. Luckily, he landed the role of Vincent on the TV series Beauty and the Beast, which was on the air from 1987 to 1990, and earned him a Golden Globe Award.
Another character that is loved by the audience is Hellboy. The actor played in 2 movies based on the comics of the same name.
Fans even conducted a poll online, and the majority of voters named Perlman the best Hellboy. “I hear Ron Perlman’s voice when I read the dialogue in the books. That’s the highest honor I can give an actor,” one of the Internet users wrote.
Perhaps, we wouldn’t have been able to see Perlman playing any of these roles, were it not for his father, an ordinary television repairman. He saw Ron perform in a college theater production and convinced him to pursue a career as an actor. Ron followed his father’s advice and entered the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a master’s degree in theater arts.
The actor revealed that he had low self-esteem when he was a child. He used to be overweight and felt terribly insecure about his appearance. Ron believes that this experience helps him portray “these sorts of deformed people who are very endearing.”
Dorothy Perlman (1921–2018), Ron’s mother with the photo of young Ron
Despite his image of a tough guy on screen, Ron is an exemplary family man. He was married to Opal Perlman, a jewelry designer, for 38 years. The couple tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in 1981. They have 2 children together, daughter Blake and son Brandon.
They split in 2019, and Perlman started dating Allison Dunbar who he met on the set of the series StartUp. The couple got married in Italy in June 2022.
His son and daughter both followed in their father’s footsteps and chose an artistic career. Brandon is an electronic musician and record producer, known by his stage name Delroy Edwards. And Blake is an actress, just like her father.
Perlman is proud of his children and often shares their photos on his Instagram. And they do the same. A couple of years ago, Blake posted her father’s photo on her Instagram and congratulated him on his 70th birthday. Perlman reposted this photo with a comment, “Love you so, beautiful Вlakie!”
On February 8, 2022, Ron Perlman became a grandfather. Brandon’s son, little Benny, was born. Soon, the actor posted the photo of the baby on Instagram, showing the 3 generations of the Perlman family.
“Got me some fresh back-up. Me and Benny. Can’t miss,” Ron wrote under the photo.
However, there’s another creature who Perlman jokingly calls his “granddaughter.” This is his son’s dog, Billie, who often gets into funny situations and makes all members of the family laugh. By the way, Brandon Perlman loves how his dad nicknamed his dog and often names Ron a “grandfather” when he posts photos on Billie’s behalf.
Billie adores Ron too and jumps to lick his face every time they meet. “I wish we could just get along for 5 minutes,” the actor comments.
A Jack Russell Terrier named Nigel was another family member for 17 years. Perlman often took him to the shootings and congratulated Nigel on his birthday on Instagram every year.
Unfortunately, Nigel departed this world in 2021, and Ron shared this sad news on his Instagram. Fans supported him by saying that our pets always live in our hearts.
Perlman has another dog named Harrington. Ron and his wife Allison adopted this black Labrador from the rescue foundation JOEY & BAILEY which saves animals.
Harrington is not the only dog the actor takes care of. Ron often posts photos of dogs who need help on his Instagram and is also involved in fundraising campaigns for stray cats and dogs.
When people meet Ron Perlman personally, they say that they expected to see a tough guy just like Hellboy. But they meet a peaceful and polite man instead, who is very accommodating and a big fan of animals.
Perlman is also fond of his little fans and is always happy to be photographed with them.
Have you ever met a man who has the appearance of a tough guy but has a gentle heart? Tell us about them in the comments below.